MC loved the Christmas markets in Germany last year so much that she dragged John back again - this time to Leipzig and Dresden. There was not as much snow as last year with Mum and Dad but was still pretty chilly - perfect for warming up with some gluhwein. and wurst and crepes and chocolate-covered fruit and waffles and schnitzel burgers and lebkuchen and potato fritters and... well you get the picture, we pretty much spent the whole weekend eating and sleeping.
MC rugged up in Dresden, with the Frauenkirche and Christmas markets in the background.
Snowy Dresden, on the banks of the Elbe river.
Colourful lebkuchen.
The main market in Dresden, there were at least five different ones.
The Christmas market on Altplatz - the oldest in Germany apparently, since 1434.
Market by night.
Outside the Semper Opera House in Dresden. The buildings may look old but over 90% of the city centre was destroyed near the end of World War II and has been reconstructed since the 1950s.
John in Theaterplatz, Dresden.
MC in the snow along the banks of the Elbe.
The Frauenkirche, restoration of which was only completed in 2005.
John hates chair-o-planes as much in Germany as he does at the Nelson A&P show!
Pretty Neumarkt in Dresden.
John's massive slab of schnitzel, most of which couldn't fit in the burger.
And onto Leipzig! John and the city chambers.
Statue of Bach outside Thomaskirche, where he worked for about 30 years and is buried.
More Christmas Market action in Leipzig.
Cool wall in Leipzig.
Close-up version.
For Mum cos I know she loves the Leipzig Hauptbahnhof!
Mmmm crepes....
And gluhwein to warm us up. Although that lady is giving MC a decidedly cool look!
John's half-metre sausage!
So another fabulous time in Germany and then back to London where the weather was no warmer; we had a few centimetres of snow last night so might be getting a white Christmas this year! We are both working through the festive season so will be spending Christmas and New Year with friends in London.
John has unfortunately been made redundant by the Guardian (as of March) along with many of his colleagues, so we are not sure what our plans for next year are, but we (or MC rather) is feeling a bit homesick and would like to move home at some stage in 2010!
Rach and Huia and Fortnum and Mason's icecream sundaes - cost 12 pounds but sooo gooooood!
MC's favourite ginger workmates! Rhys and Dan.
More workmates - Judy, Rhys, Lisa, Rachel and MC.
Pearl Jam at the O2 Arena.
Afternoon tea with the girls.
MC and Rach glammed up for the Guilty Pleasures Black and White Ball.
Posing.
Rach's awesome dress.
MC's work Christmas party: Syeda and MC.
Koolsum and Rhys.
Emma.
Theresa and Vicki.
Rachel and Jeremy.
Lisa and Judy.
Rhys and his Christmas cracker pressie - measuring spoons - chick magnet apparently.
John and MC.
All of us.
Rhys, Syeda, Zahir and Lisa.
Funky Christmas decorations in Carnaby St, Soho.
Huia and Rach at Huia and Henry's London wedding party.
Master-bakers Rach and MC's red velvet cake, made for Huia and Henry's wedding party.
Before it got demolished. Very pretty and it tasted good too!
The entertaining dance troupe at Guilty Pleasures at Koko in Camden.
Rach and Huia, one of the many times we went through Camden Town that night - kept getting on the wrong train!
MC and Rach.
Huia and MC.
